Little Fatty

so I have a question for ya'll.
I had just gotten a little mystic butter ball python that weighs 150 grams just a week ago. I was waiting for his rat pups to arrive in the mail when I discovered a 34 gram weaned rat in my older snake's frozen bag of rodents. I figured that I would defrost it and see if the little guy would take it.
He did take it in fact, and he's eating it right now. The rat was 22% of his weight so I'm a bit concerned. It would be awhile since I got his rat pups and just shrugged, seeing if he'd take such a big meal.
I'm sure he'll be alright, right? The breeder told me he had a big appetite and he has proven so. I guess I didn't think about it much before I gave it to him.
Do you guys think he'll be good? I'll be checking on him when he probably has eaten it.

I'm still new at this whole snake thing, but I did the same as you with my Ana Gwyn a couple months ago. She was gaining weight and taking two adult mice, but the smallest rat I could find in the area was small adults. I offered her the smallest one I could find and she took it, but OH BOY was she stuffed! I just kept a close eye on her and she was fine. But that's when she stopped eating every week and switched herself to every other week - she just naturally did it because the prey items she was getting were so big. Her weight gain is steady and now she can take the sm adult rats just fine. (And I've found a better supplier with more varied size options so that I can size up my 3 baby snakes more appropriately in the future!)

I wouldn't worry as long as the snake ate without difficulty. But he may not be hungry again for a while!

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Originally Posted by Kingdomall

so I have a question for ya'll.
I had just gotten a little mystic butter ball python that weighs 150 grams just a week ago. I was waiting for his rat pups to arrive in the mail when I discovered a 34 gram weaned rat in my older snake's frozen bag of rodents. I figured that I would defrost it and see if the little guy would take it.
He did take it in fact, and he's eating it right now. The rat was 22% of his weight so I'm a bit concerned. It would be awhile since I got his rat pups and just shrugged, seeing if he'd take such a big meal.
I'm sure he'll be alright, right? The breeder told me he had a big appetite and he has proven so. I guess I didn't think about it much before I gave it to him.
Do you guys think he'll be good? I'll be checking on him when he probably has eaten it.

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Here's the thing...there are several possible outcomes from feeding a meal that is too large to any snake. Everything will probably be ok judging from what you said but it doesn't change what could happen.

1. The snake digests it and everything is fine.
2. It regurgitates it and resumes feeding after a few weeks without eating...everything returns to normal.
3. It regurgitates and dies.
4. It regurgitates it and is never able to keep food down again until it dies.

The deed is done so that leaves what do you do now? Leave the snake alone. If your husbandry is correct there is nothing your interference can do but make the situation worse.

Well, as you know feeding a meal that big isn't a great idea due to the possibility of regurgitation. So for now just be sure temps are correct - especially on the warm side because if they get too chilled the chance of regurg increases.

Also, and you probably know this - don't handle the snake at all for several days. At least a week would be best. And try not to stress it with noise, family activity, etc.

I realize all of this sounds a little cautious, and the snake will most likely be fine unless put under stress. I just wanted to outline the most cautious approach. And stick to normal-sized meals in future! Good luck with your chubby little guy.

I would also not feed for a bit. If you feed weekly now, feed in 2-3 weeks. If you feed every 2 weeks, feed in 3.

Good luck and keep us posted.

As stated, if temps are good, you leave him alone, and he's healthy otherwise, it should be ok.